Method and machine for producing flakes and the like from plastic masses



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METHOD AND MACHINE EOE PRODUCING ELAKES AND THE LiKE FROM PLASTIC MAssEs Feb, 23, E937. A. U. SRNMARK Filed Oct. 5, 1933 A.. SheES-Sheet l Feb; 23? i937., A. l.;v SRNMARK METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCING FLAKES- ANDl THE LIKE FROM PLASTIC MASSES 1933 4 Sheets--Sheevl 2 Filed Oct. 5

. INVENTOR XAXEL UNO SRNVARK ATTORNEYS Feb. 239 M371 A. U. SRNMARK ZWM METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCNG FLAKES AND THE LIKE FROM PLASTIC MASSES Filed Oct. 5, 1953 LSheets-Sheet 3 mvENToR AXELJ UNO RNMARK TTORNYS Feb. 239 i937 A. U. SRNMARK 29071D4134 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCING FLAKES AND THE LIKE FROM PLASTIC MASSES Filed Oct. 5, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR AXEL UNO SRNMRK Evil", S/@v ATTORNEY lil Patented Feb. 23, 1937 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PRODUCING FLAKES AND THE LIKE FROM PLASTIC MASSES Axel Uno Srnmark, Gothenburg, Sweden Application October 3, 1933, Serial No. 691,980 In Sweden October 3, 1932 13 Claims.

'I'he present invention refers to a method of continuous manufacture of arbitrary preparations, such as articles of food, luxuries, chemicals or the like in the form of flakes, cakes, tablets or the like. The invention is applicable, for

example, for the production of breakfast and lunch dishes and sweets adapted to be distributed and sold in packages. The continuous mode of operation in the manufacturing process permits of an automatic manufacture, which may also be combined with semi-automatic or automatic packeting of the finished product.

Practically any substances may be used as raw material for the manufacturing process, said materials being, according to the circumstances, brought into such a consistency through suspension or dissolution or by suspension as well as dissolution, or by being softened in a suitable liquid, that the mass may be spread out directly over one or more surfaces in layers of a suitable thickness, or may be distributed, vthrough one or more nozzles or other spreading means, in the form of drops, layers or other units of an arbitrary or desired size, cross-section or shape, said drops and so forth being caused when falling down either to coagulate or solidify in suitably heated air, gas, liquid or the like, or to hit one or more suitably heated stationary or movable surfaces.

If the mass is primarily to solidify on a stationary surface, the latter is heated to such an extent that the mass is brought into a sufficiently solid consistency through jellication, coagulation or evaporation or through two or more' of these factors in cooperation. After the mass has solidified, it is preferable, as a rule, to continue the heating process until the mass is dry and, in many cases, until it has also become roasted. In order that the manufacture shall be continuous, it is preferable that the surface or surfaces on which the mass is spread out is endless and movable, so that the mass is spread in one place and is loosened or scraped oif in another place on havin-g solidified, either before or after it has also dried and become roasted, if desired. The movable surfaces may take various forms. For example, they may be in the form of bands or drying rollers, or, a combination of both of these means may come into use. A continuous production may also take place by the use of reciprocating plates. These are to be regarded as different embodiments `for carrying the same method into effect.

The spreading of the mass on the surfaces may take place, as stated, either by the mass being evenly spread in layers of a suitable thickness,

or by the same being distributed through various spreading means. 'In the rst instance the spreading may be effected by the thin pulpy or liquid mass bein-g brought into a suitably shaped 5 container which is open at the top and in which the mass is kept at a constant level by controlling means known per se. The drying roller, if any, is arranged with its axis horizontally in such a position that the roller is caused to dip into l the mass to a certain extent. The endless band is arranged in a similar manner, its one end roller being on a lower level than the other so as to permit of being arranged in such a. position that the band is caused to dip into the mass to a cerl tain extent when running over the roller. If the drying roller or the endless band is brought into movement, the mass will thus be entrained by the band, the mass being spread evenly over the surface of the band to a thickness determined, among other things, by the consistency of the mass and by the speed of the roller or. band.

The drying roller is heated in known manner from the inside and/or from below, the band being heated from below in an analogous manner. For the obtention of a uniform product it is necessary that the heating is uniform, which may be provided for by means of steam, gas or electric heating. If roasting is to take place on the roller or band and steam is used as a heat- 3o ing agent, the latter should be superheated. With all three methods of heating it should be attended to that the temperature is highest in the zone where the lm of the material treated leaves the surface. In order that this may take place uniformly and continuously, a scraper is provided at the point in question of the roller or band, said scraper scraping off the film and guiding the same to a conveyor or other device for its removal. Preferably, the scraping member should be shaped in such a manner as to subdivide the lm into flakes of the desired size. The thickness of lthe flakes may be determined entirely .by alterations in the speed or in the consistency of the mass.

Instead of effecting complete drying or roasting of the goods on the drying roller or band, the material under treatment may be scraped off as soon as it has become sufiiciently solid, the drying or roasting process being effected afterwards by other means such as drying shelves, rotating drums, shake-roasting apparatus and so forth. The spreading of the mass may also be effected in such manner that the mass is pressed out uniformly, through one or more slotted nozzles, over the surfaces of the bands or rollers employed. If the spreading is to take place through distribution in spreading devices, such distribution may be effected by the liquid mass being sprayed, with or without pressure, through one or more nozzles or openings, over the movable surfaces, or by the mass being caused to drop down on such surfaces which take the form of bands, rollers or plates.

This method of manufacture is applicable to practically any articles of food, one type of which are vegetables, preferably such that are rich in starch. inulin or similar polysaccharides. The advantages of the novel method according to the invention are the following:

l. By the admixture of arbitrary ingredients, such as sugar, salt, spices, liquids, baking powder, bakers salt and so forth, the taste of the finished product and so on may be varied to the exact requirements of the consumers.

2. The starting material for the finished product may be varied as desired. For example, oat, rye, barley, corn and so forth, and any mixtures of these materials, may come into use.

3. By the admixture of diierently colored articles of food or dye-stuffs, such as cocoa and others, the color of the final product may be varied as desired.

4. The method also permits of the production of suitable units of the finished product to answer the requirements of the consumers in regard to the size, shape and the general appearance of the product.

5. Finally, the method according to the invention facilitates, through the admixture of certain metal salts, such as magnesium and calcium salts and so forth, impartment of wholesome and prophylactic properties to the finished product.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1-7 illustrate a few embodiments of the invention by may of diagrammatic representation.

Figure 1 is a general-View, partly diagrammatic and partly in section, of an apparatus for carrying out the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail showing the roasting furnace in section.

Figure 3 is a detail of a modification of the device for controlling the size and time of dropping of the material units.

Figure 4 is a detail of a modification of the device for continuously forcing the liquid or plastic mass through the conduit leading from the meter.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment wherein the material units are received on the surface of a heated drum.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment employing a rotating roasting drum.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment employing automatic devices for controlling the flow of the liquid or plastic material.

In Fig. 1, which shows an arrangement for the distribution of the mass through a spreading device, I indicates a mixing machine for the liquid or plastic mass, out of which the flakes, cakes or tablets are to be produced. 2 is a conduit to convey the mass from the mixing machine, 3 is a switching device with a rotatable disk 4 provided therein, by means of which the mass may be guided to the one or the other side of a cylinder 5 through the conduits 6 or 1. The disk 4 is connected, through a shaft or the like 8, to a second switching or valve device 9 adapted to convey pressure gas-air, carbon dioxide or the likecoming from the conduit I to the one or the other side of the piston II in the cylinder I2, either through the conduit I3 or I4. In the position of the switching device 9 shown in the drawings, the pressure gas communicates through the conduit IO with the conduit I3. The piston II is connected with the piston I6 in the cylinder 5 by means of a rod I5. The rod I is connected to a lever I8 by means of a fork dev-ice or the like I1. The lever I 8 is connected to a second lever 2D by means of a spring I9, said lever 2D being movable between two abutments 2| and 22. The lever 2l] may actuate a shaft 8 by means of a fork device or the like 23 through the medium of a. lever 24, said shaft 8 being connected with the movable disk il of the switching device 3 as well as with a movable disk or the like 25 in the switching device 9, which latter is also provided with an outlet opening, pipe or the like 26. The switching device 3 is furthermore provided with an outlet or rising pipe 21 for the liquid or plastic mass. 28 designates a valve or throttle member for the pressure gas supplied to the switching device 9. The conduit 21 is further connected to a cut-off device or the like 29 including a rotatable member 39 for a periodic cut-off or admission of the mass through the conduit 3| to the spreading device 32, which is provided with one or more nozzles or the like 33, through which the mass may be forced out, or through which the same may penetrate, in the form of drops or other units 34. The member 30 is connected through a shaft to a rotatable disk or the like 36 of a switching device 31. The switching device 31 is connected through the conduit 38 with the pressure gas conduit I, and through the conduits 3.9-40 and lll-42 respectively with each end of the cylinder 43, in which a piston 44 is adapted to reciprocate. Inserted into the conduits 39 and 4I are two controllable valves, throttle members or the like 45 and 46. An outlet conduit i1 provided in the switching device 31 may be connected, by shifting of the rotatable disk, with the conduit 40 and with the conduit 42, as the case may be. The piston 44 is connected, through a rod 48 and a fork device 49, to a lever 5I pivoted about a centre 50. The lever 5I is connected by means of a spring 52 to a lever 53 pivoted about the said centre or about some other adjacent centre, said lever 53 being adapted to actuate a lever 55 connected to the shaft 35, by means of a fork device 54. Furthermore, the lever 53 is movable between the abutments 51 and 58.

The machine elements described so far cooperate in the following manner: The mixing machine is lled with suitable raw material for the i production of oat flakes, for example, the raw material consisting preferably of water, oat meal, salt, sugar, bakers salt, and a calcium and/or magnesium salt, if desired. If desired, some skimmilk and a little fat in the form of oil or the like may also be added. 'I'he mixing machine is brought into rotation by means of a motor or the like, the raw material being then mixed and entering the switching device 3 through the conduit 2 in the form of a liquid or plastic dough. At the position of the disk 4 shown in the drawings, the plastic mass may penetrate further through the switching device 3 and the conduit 6 to the one end of the cylinder 5. The conduit I0 is preferably connected to an air compressor or carbon dioxide tube, the pressure gas then penetrating from the latter through the throttle member 28 into the switching device 9. At the position of the member 25 shown in the drawings, the pressure gas passes further through the conduit I3 to the one end of the cylinder I 2the piston then moving forwards and bringing the rod I5 and the piston I6 of the-cylinder 5 with it. The liquid' or plastic mass is .thus sucked through the conduit 6, the'cylinder 5 being filled with the said mass during the forward movement of the piston When the rod I5 moves forwardly, the lever |8 is entrained by the fork I1, the spring I9 being thus brought under tension. When the lever I8 has moved somewhat beyond the position in alignment with the lever 20, the spring 9 suddenly jerks the lever 20 from the abutment 22 and moves the arm to the abutment 2|. The fork device 23 connected to `the lever 2D then turns the lever 24 and the shaft 6 through a momentary action into another position, the disk 4 as well as the member 25 of the shifting devices 3 and 9 being then reversed. 'Ihe pressure gas from the conduit I0 now flows through the conduit I4 into the cylinder I2 and returns the piston into its original position, while the pressure gas previously introduced into the cylinder I2' leaves the cylinder through the conduit I3 and escapes through the outlet conduit 26. As before, the piston brings the piston I6 along with it and forces the liquid or plastic mass in the cylinder 5 through the conduit 6 up through the conduit 21, fresh mass entering at the same time the cylinder 5 through the conduits 2 and 1. When the piston Il returns into its first initial position, entraining the rod |5 and the lever I8 by means of the fork I1 as before, the lever 2|! being jerked from the abutment 2| to the abutment 22 through the influence of the spring |9, the shaft and the disk 4 as well as the member 25 are returned into their initial positions through the fork 23 and the lever 24.

Then commences a new working period of the piston in the cylinder |2, the liquid or plastic mass in the cylinder 5 being thus forced through the conduit 21. The speed of the piston I I in the cylinder I2 may be regulated by throttling the valve or throttle member 28, more or less. The liquid or plastic mass forcing its way through the conduit 21 enters the switching device 29. At the adjustment of the member 3D shown in the drawings the mass can penetrate further through the conduit 3|, the, spreading or dividing device 32 and the nozzle 33, and leaves the latter in the form of drops 34. Inasmuch as the mass is to leave the nozzle 33 inthe form of drops 34, the forward iiow of the mass must be periodically interrupted. Such periodical interruption is effected by a periodic turning or movement of the member 39.

The periodical interruption is brought about in the following manner:

The pressure gas coming from the conduit I flows through the conduit 38 to the switching device 31 and penetrates, at the adjustment of 'the disk 36V shown in the drawings, through the conduit 39 and the throttle member 45 and the conduit 40 to the one end of the cylinder 43, the piston 44 then moving forwards and bringing the rod 48 along with it. In its movement the rod 48 also brings the lever 5| vwith it by means of a fork device 49, the spring 52 being thus brought under tension. When the lever has moved somewhat beyond the position which is in alignment with the lever 53, the latter is suddenly jerked from the abutment 58, the lever 55 being thus turned by the fork 54 into another position while entraining the shaft 35 and the disks 3,8 and 36. 'I'he flow of the liquid or plastic mass is thus interrupted. The pressure gas forcing its way through the conduit 38 now flows, upon the adjustment of the disk 36, through the conduit 4 I, the throttle member 46 and the conduit 42 to the other end of the cylinder 43, the piston 44 being thus returned into its initial position while entraining the rod 43 and the levers 5| and 53. The

.pressure gas previously introduced into the cylinder escapes through the conduits 40 and 41 on the return movement of the piston' 44. At the sudden return movement of the lever 53 into its initial position the disks 30 and 36 are quickly shifted, the mass then again being forced through the conduit 3| and the nozzles 33 in the form of drops 34, while the pressure gas is permitted to flow through the conduit 40 as before, thus again actuating the piston 44, so that the latter moves forwards, as before. The piston 44 will thus reciprocate, the timing of its movement being effected through the throttle member 45 and the timing of its return movement through the throttle member 46. The size of the drops 34 depends on the quantity of the mass flowing forth through the forward movement of the piston 44, and may thus be controlled by an adjustment of the throttle member 45. The drops are actually spurts of cereal mass which are so suddenly projected that their individual departure from the nozzles of the spreading or dividing device 32 occurs, being mainly caused by the momentum of said drops when the movement of the mass behind them Within the nozzles and the dividing device is suddenly arrested. The delay between two consecutive droppingv periods is equal to the time for the return movement of the piston 44, and may thus be controlled by adjustment of the throttle member 45.

In the remaining portion of` the figure, 59 indicates a movable and flexible conveyor band consisting of stainless steel, for example, or of some other material. The band is stretched over the rollers 60, 6|, 62, 63 and 64, which rollers are rotatable in bearings provided for the same. The band 59 may be moved over a heating plate 65, which in the drawings is shown to be rectangular, flat and hollow. After the band 59 has passed the heating plate it may be bent laterally between the rollers 6| and 62, as shown in the gure, whereupon the same runs through a long and narrow rectangular furnace 66, which is shown in cross section in Fig. 2. The furnace 66, which is insulated all over its length by an insulation 61,'is heated in its remote end by means of a source of heat of any suitable kind, such as gas flames 68. The combustion gases from these flames flow about a portion of the furnace 66 and escape through the pipe 69 into the heating plate 65 and further into the atmosphere through the pipe 10. Since the long and narrow furnace must have an inlet and an outlet opening for the movable band 59, ilow of air through the furnace is unavoidable. The arrangement of the construction is such, however, that the air enters the furnace at 1| and escapes therefrom at 12. of ow may also be provided for. Arranged between the rollers 6| and 62 is a scraper, knife or the like 13 bearing on the band. The machinery is surrounded by a protecting cap, preferably' A reversed direction' gas dames 68 and flowing through the pipe 89 land the hollow heating plate from which the gases escape through the pipe 18. By this means, the portion of the movable band 59 above the heating plate will also obtain a temperature corresponding to the heating of the heating plate. This temperature may be regulated by conducting a portion only of the waste gases from the pipe 69 through the heating plate 65. When the drops 34 fall down on the band, they will be flattened so as to flow out somewhat in the 1ongitudinal direction, whereupon they will quickly solidify, through jellication, coagulation or evaporation, into the form of flakes, cakes or the like. When the ilakes solidified on the band reach the roller 8| through the movement of the band, they will be scraped off by the knife 10 and again fall vertically down on the movable band 59. The flakes are now lying loose on the band and enter the one end of the furnace 86, in order to be dried during the further transport through the furnace, to be nally roasted at the remote warmer portion of the furnace. When during the movement of the band the flakes have been conveyed to the roller 63, they will be showered down through the conveyor drum 14 or onto a conveyor band that may be provided in place of said drum.

The falling drops are thus subjected to three different processes in the machine:

1. Solidication on the band over the heating plate 65.

2. Drying in the one end of the elongated furnace.

3. Roasting at the remote end of the furnace.

As stated before, the size of the drops 34 is controllable by means of the throttle member and the time between each dropping period by means of the throttle member 48. The speed of the band andthe temperatures of the heating plate 65 and the furnace 66 are regulated so that a suitable solidication will take place over the heating plate and a suitable drying and roasting process in the furnace. The time between each dropping period is then regulated so as to correspond to the speed of the band 59.

The size of the drops 34 not only depends on the time of flow of the liquid or plastic mass through the nozzles 33, but also depends on the pressure in the conduit 21. Again, the pressure in this conduit depends on the speed of reciprocation of the piston Il and may be controlled by means of the throttle member 28.

Fig. 3 shows a further device for the control of the size of the drops 34 and of the time between the di'erent dropping periods. Fig. 4 shows a further arrangement for continuous forcing of the liquid or plastic mass through the conduit 2 from the open mixing machine l.

In Fig. 3, 38 designates a pressure gas conduit as before. 15 denotes a switching device and 18 a rotatable piston, disk or the like in the same. 11 indicates a conduit for supply gas conducted to the diaphragm casing 18 through a conduit 19, said supply gas being controlled by the throttle member 80. 8| is a conduit for exhaust gas escaping from the diaphragm casing 18 through the conduit 82, which exhaust gas may be controlled by the throttle member 83.

The diaphragm casing 18 is provided with an elastic diaphragm 84 made from rubber, for instance, or the like and provided with a more rigid plate 85 in its centre, said diaphragm being actuated in the one direction by a spring 88. The plate 85 is connected at the centre with a rod 81 corresponding to the rod 48 described with reference to Fig. 1. The'other details of Fig. 3 are designated by reference numerals corresponding to those used for similar details in Fig. 1. Thus the switching device 29 with the member 38 is connected to that end of the shaft 35 which is denoted by 8.8.

The arrangement operates in the following manner:

The pressure gas enters through the conduit 38, and in the position of the piston or disk 16 shown in Fig. 3 the gas ows through the conduits 11 and 19 to the diaphragm casing 18, the diaphragm 84 and the plate 85 then moving forwards and entraining the rod 81, so that the spring 86 is compressed at the same time. The rod 81 as before locks the lever 55 and the shaft 35, through the fork 49 and the spring 52, in the second position and shifts the member 16 as well as the member 38 connected as at 88. The conduit 19 will then be directly connected to the outlet conduit 82 through the member 16 and the throttle member 8-3, the pressure gas being cut off at the same time. 'Ihe spring 81 which is under tension then returns the diaphragm 85 into its initial position, while the air escaping through the conduits 19 and 8l can be throttled more or less by the throttle member 83. The rod 81 is then returned into its initial position and, as before, brings the fork 49, the lever 5|, the lever 55 and the shaft 35 along with it. The diaphragm will thus reciprocate together with the rod 81'and the fork 49 as before, whereupon the time for the forward movement of the diaphragm can be controlled by the throttle member 80 corresponding to the actual dropping time, while the time for the return movement of the diaphragm corresponding to the time between the dropping periods can be controlled by the throttle member 83.

In Fig. 4, 88 and 89 indicate two different pressure vessels with floats 90 and 9| movable up and down therein. These floats are connected through rods or the like 92 and 93 to a lever pivoted about a centre 94 and connected with a lever 96. Other details of Fig. 4 that have complete equivalents in Fig. l are designated by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1.

The arrangement operates in the following manner:

In the position of the members or disks 4 and 25 shown in Fig. 4, the gas from the pressure gas conduit i0 will flow through the throttle member 28 and the conduit I3, the gas then entering the container 88, besides which the liquid or plastic mass in the container is brought under pressure, so that it will be forced up through the conduit 1 and the rising conduit 21. According as the mass in the container 88 is consumed, the float 90 sinks and entrains the rod 82 and the lever 95, mass from the conduit 2 being at the same time supplied through the conduit 6 to the lower part of the container 89, so that the level of the mass in the same is caused to rise and to raise the float 9i together with the rod 93 connected thereto, said rod being also connected to the lever 95. When the float 90 has sunk into its lowermost position and the oat 9| has n'sen to its uppermost position, the

lever 95 has actuated the lever I8 and the spring I9 through the rods 92 and 93, in such a. manner that the lever 20 will suddenly shift the lever 24 and the shaft 8 together with the members 4 and 9. The pressure gas then penetrates from the conduit il) through the conduit I4 into the container 89, the mass being forced up through the conduits 6 and 21, and fresh mass being supplied to the lower part of the container 88 through the conduits 2 and 7. The containers I 88 and 89 will thus be under pressure alternately,

an equalization of pressure from the container which is not under pressure being then effected through pipes 26 to the atmosphere` A continuous flow of the liquid mass will take place through the conduit 2l', as before. the speed and the pressure of the flowing mass being controlled by the throttle member 28.

In Fig. 5, 3| indicates a conduit for periodic supply of a liquid or plastic mass, 32 is a spreading device and 33 are different spreading nozzles, and 34 designates drops or the like coming from the nozzles 33. 91 indicates a rotating heated drum, onto which the drops 34 fall down and solidify. Here, the band 59 runs over the rollers 63 and 64. Otherwise, such details that' have their full equivalents in Fig. l are provided with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1.

The arrangement operates in the following manner:

The band 59 and the drum 97 move or rotate at a suitable speed adapted for the purpose. The gases escaping from the burner 68 now about the furnace lSii and escape through the pipe 69, after which they enter the one end of the cylinder and escape at the other end through the outlet pipe lil. A certain temperature is imparted to the cylinder, which temperature may be controlled by the admission of a greater or smaller portion of the combustion gases. drops 34 hit the drum 91 somewhat toward the side, whereby the drops will be attened and somewhat extended longitudinally, whereupon they solidify in the form of flakes, cakes or the like by reason of the temperature of the drum 9i. The solidified flakes are then scraped off by the knife 'i3 on the continued rotation of the drum, after which they fall down as loose flakes upon the movable conveyor band 59. The flakes then e follow with the conveyor band 59 into the furnace 66 where they will dry, to begin with, whereupon they are also roasted, if desired, in the warmer part of the furnace. The finished flakes leave the band at the roller 69 and fall down through the conveyor drum i4, which may also be replaced by a conveyor band or the like. The speed and the temperature of the band or drum respectively are regulated relatively to each other and with respect to the time between the consecutive dropping periods.

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention, where 98 indicates a rotating roasting drum, 99 a collecting channel for dried but nonroasted flakes, and l lill a pipe for hot gases escaping from the drying furnace 66. Otherwise, such details that have their full equivalents in Fig. 1 are provided with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1.

The arrangement operates in the following manner:

The band 59 and the drum 91 or 58 respectively rotate at speeds corresponding to the time of drying, solidication and roasting. The com bustion gases from the burner G8 which flow about the roasting drum 98 escape through the The falling f pipe 69 to the furnace 66, Where they pass about the same, after which they escape through the passage IUD to the one end of the drum 91, in order finally to leave the other end of the drum through the outlet passage '10. The temperature in the roasting drum is regulated through the burner G8 and the temperature in the furnace 66 and in the drum @l by leading a greater or smaller quantity of the combustion gases through the furnace 66 and the drum 97 respectively. The falling drops 34 hit the rotating drum 91 either straight from above or somewhat toward the side. They arethus caused to ow out and will be somewhat extended longitudinally, whereupon they solidify on account of the temperature of the drum. The solidified flakes are then scraped off by the knife 13 on the continued rotation of the drum, the flakes then falling down as loose flakes upon the band 59, whereupon they are introduced by the band into the furnace 66 where they are dried. The dried flakes leave the band at the roller 63, after which they enter the roasting drum through the medium of the collecting channel 99. Preferably, the roasting drum may be provided on the inside with a helically shaped plate, by means of which the flakes are being fed forwards during the rotation of the drum. After the flakes have been roasted they leave the drum and enter the conveyor drum lll, which may also be replaced by conveyor bands, whereupon the llakes pass di rectly to the packe-ting machine.

Fig. '7 shows further embodiment of -the invention Where the periodic interruption in the flow o1" the mass advancing through the spreading devices is eected oy the rotating drum, the movable band or a special motor. The forcing of the mass through the conduits and the spreading devices is effected by means of pressure gas coming, for instance, from an air compressor or from a carbon dioxide cylinder, with the aid of two pressure vessels, but here the switching of the mass and the pressure gas respectively from the one pressure vessel to the other is effected manually. Such machine elements in Fig. 'l that have direct equivalents in the previous drawings are indicated by the same reference numerals. The other machine elements have been given new reference numerals. li'i and W2 thus indicate two emptying cocks for compressed air, and it@ is a switching handle. itil denotes a rotary disk, piston or the like with passage openings 35. The piston or the like ilill is connected with the shaft 35, on which a combined stop and tooth member IBB is secured. Mounted on the shaft lill of the drum 9i is a pinion or the like Hi8 cooperating With a gear wheel till mounted on the shaft IBS. Furthermore, the shaft 09 has mounted thereon a disk il l cooperating with the member |06, said disk being connected through the disk H2 with a tooth device or the like l i3.

The arrangement operates in the following manner:

The liquid or plastic mass enters the switching device 3 through the conduit 2, and pressure gas is introduced into the shifting device 9 through the conduit l!) and the throttle member 23. In the position of the switching member or disk 4 shown in the ngure, the liquid or plastic mass passes from the conduit 2 through the shifting device 3 and the conduit 6 to the pressure vessel 89, the mass being thus caused to rise in the latter, While the air in the vessel is expelled through the valve l02. When the mass has ascended to this valve and has commenced to flow out through the same, the valve |82 is closed, further supply of mass being then prevented by the air cushion formed above the mass. The members i and 25 are then shifted by means of the handle 583, the mass in the conduit 2 being then permitted to flow into the pressure vessel 83 through the shifting device 3 and the conduit 1. When this has also been filled, the valve i0! is closed. Upon the new adjustment of the members i and 25, the pressure gas can ow into the pressure vessel 8S through the throttle member 28, the shifting device E? and the conduit' lll, the mass in the same being then forced out through the conduit and the shifting device 3 up into the conduit 21. The

' vessel B9 having been emptied, the members d and 25 are shifted by means of the handle |53, the compressed aii then entering the pressure vessel 38 through the conduit i3 and the mass therein being forced out through the conduit 1 and the switching device 3 to the conduit 2T. The pressure vessel 89 is filled with mass, as before, whereupon the handle |03 is shifted anew. This shifting of the handle IGS need only be effected at comparatively long intervals, depending on the size of the pressure Vessels 88' and Sil.

A continuous ow of mass through the conduit 21 will thus take place, the pressure on the mass depending on the pressure of the gas which, in turn, may be controlled by a reduction valve or by the throttle member 28. The rotating drum S1 drives the disks ill and H2 through the gear wheels 08 and iii?, and thus drives the tooth H3 connected to the disk H2. The ratio of gear is such that the disks l l l and l i2 make one revolution, while the peripheral portion of the drum 91 moves a distance somewhat greater than the length of a flake. When the tooth H3 engages the recesses of the member |06, a quick adjustment of this member is effected, the shaft 35 and the piston or the like lil then turning in such a manner that the conduits 3| and 21 will be connected with each other for a moment through a port |05 in the said piston |04. A number of drops 34 will then be pressed forth through the spreading device 32 and the nozzles 33, the size of which drops depends partly on the outlet openings and partly on the pressure in the conduits 3| and 21, which pressure is controlled by the throttle member 28. By reason of the kinetic energy imparted tothe drops 34 through the comparatively high velocity at which they are pressed forth through the nozzles on account of the pressure the drops leave the nozzles very easily and fall down on the drum 91 where they spread out and solidify. For each revolution of the disks IH and I I2 an adjustment of the member |06 is effected together with an adjustment of the piston |04, a series of drops then owing forth. The disks and |I2 may also be provided with a plurality of recesses and teeth H3 respectively, a correspondingly lower ratio of gear being thus provided between the gear wheels |08 and H0.

The flakes spread out on the drum 91 solidify and dry, perhaps, during the rotation of the drum, whereupon they are finally scraped off by means of the knife or scraper 13 to be removed to the conveyor band 59, after which they are further dried and roasted, if desired, in elongated furnaces and/or roasting drums. 'Ihe roasting may also be effected directly on the drum 91, the flakes being then scraped off in a later stage, so that the whole circumference of the drum is utilized. Obviously, the drum may also be replaced by a band, the shaft |01 being then connected with the shaft of one of the rollers over which the band is running. Any of the combinations of bands and rollers mentioned hereinbefore may also be used here, andthe drum may be heated in any suitable manner by means of gas, hot liqnids, steam or electricity,

The solidication of the akes may also take place at temperatures up to to 100 degrees, preferably 50 to 80 degrees centigrade. The drying is effected at temperatures between 8O and 150 degrees centigrade, preferably at 80 to 150 degrees centigrade, and the roasting is effected at temperatures above degrees centigrade, preferably at to 200 degrees centigrade. Evideifrtly, the gases or the surfaces on which the soldication, the drying and the roasting processi-s take place may be considerably hotter, the time for solidica-tion, drying and roasting respectively being thus reduced.

The arrangements described may obviously bc varied in different ways without departing from the invention. In Fig. 1, for instance, the mixing machine may be of various forms of embodiment. The feeding device for the feeding of the liquid or plastic mass through the conduit 21 may be replaced by a rotating screw at a more solid consistency of the mass. The cut-olf members fr and 25 may be given other forms such as valves, cocks or the like, and may be builttogether into a unit, if desired. rThis is also the case with the cut-off members 36 and 36. The spreading device 32, for example, may also be made rotating, and the periodic interruption of the liquid mass penetrating through the conduit 21 as well as the forcing up of this mass may be effected directly with the aid of a motor. The heating of the heating plate 55 or the drum 91 as well as of the furnace B6 or the roasting drum 9S may also take place through other sources of heat, such as steam, electricity and so forth, besides which the said drums and furnaces may also be heated severally. The rotating drying drums, on which the drops fall down, may be replaced by a special band running over two rollers, which band is entirely separated from the other band.

According to the method, and with the aid of the arrangements described, various substances and special articles of food may be produced, through some variations, in the form of spin. A very thin liquid dough of an arbitrary cereal, such as oat, is fed in known manner through the spreader 32 in the machinery according to Fig. l, for instance. Here, the nozzles 33 are formed as ne apertures through which the mass of dough may penetrate as a coherent string. The spreader is provided with a number of nozzles situated close to one another and placed directly over the horizontally or nearly horizontally running band. During the time in which the mass of dough is ejected through the ne nozzles, the spreader performs a horizontal rotary movement at a suitable diameter of 5 to 6 or 15 to 20 millimeters, for example. During the time in which the mass is ejected and the rotary movement takes place, the band is stationary, so that the mass will be ejected onto the plate in the form of small spun loaves. If the mass consists substantially of an oat preparation, these loaves may be given the name oat spin. As soon as the ejection of the mass of dough ceases by an adjustment of the shifting members 29 and 31, these shifting members may actuate a friction coupling or motor switch with the aid of a lever or the like, so that the band, which was hitherto stationary,

is brought into movement and advanced by a distance just corresponding to the surface covered by the spun loaves. After that the shifting members 29 and 3lare again brought into operation, whereupon another set of loaves are ejected onto the plate which has now again been made stationary by means of the switching device. The ready-spun loaves are carried by the band, successively as before, into the furnace 66 wherein they are first dried and then roasted, whereupon they are delivered to the packeting means at the roller 63, through the conveyor drum 'I4 or by a conveyor band, if desired. As before, the drying of the spin may evidently be effected on a special movable band, the roasting being done on a second band or in a rotary roasting drum. 'Inhe production of spin may also take place on drums.

All methods and means, for flakes as well as for spin, may also be provided with a plurality of bands or drums running in parallel.

The magnitude of the pressure above atmospheric used for the ejection of the mass should be chosen with respect to the viscosity and may vary, according to the circumstances, between the limit values 1-20 atmospheres. In the manufacture of cereal flakes, for instance, a pressure above vatmospheric of 5-10 atmospheres has been found suitable.

What I claim iszl. In a method of producing flakes, and the like from a plastic mass, the steps comprising feeding said mass through openings while imparting to the mass a great energy of movement intermittently and abruptly arresting the movement of the bulk of said mass so as to cause sub-division of the mass into units of predetermined size and cause the units thus formed to individually leave the openings by utilizing the momentum of said mass to project said units.

2. In a method of producing flakes, and the like from a plastic mass, the steps comprising pressing the mass through openings while impartingto same a great energy of movement intermittently and abruptly arresting the movement of the bulk of said mass so as to cause sub-division of the mass into units of predetermined size and cause the units thus formed to individually leave the openings by utilizing the momentum of said mass to project said units.

3. In a method of producing akes, and the like from a plastic mass, the steps comprising feeding a stream of the mass through an opening under pressure and periodically cutting oif the pressure to form units of predetermined size from the mass being fed and impart to said units such a great energy of movement as to cause them to individually leave said opening by utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project the same from the bulk of said mass when the movement of said mass is suddenly arrested.

4. In a method of producing iiakes, and the like from a plastic mass, the steps comprising subjecting the mass to pressure, pressing the mass through openings While imparting to the mass a great energy of movement intermittently. and abruptly arresting the movement of the bulk of said mass so as to cause units to be separated from the bulk of the mass and to leave the openings by utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project the same from the bulk of said mass when the movement of said mass is suddenly arrested.

5. A method of producingy akes, and the like from cerealia as main raw material, comprising intermittently feeding a plastic mass of the raw material under pressure through openings` to form units thereof, imparting to said units such a great energy oimovement as to cause them to leave said openings by utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project the same from the bulk of said mass when the movement of Said mass is suddenly arrested, collecting the units thus formed on a movable surface, heating the units in a first stage to a temperature adapted for the solidication of the units, heating the solidified units in a second stage to a temperature adapted for drying the solidified units and heating the dried units in a third stage to a temperature adapted for roasting .the dried units.

6. A method of producing akes, and the like from cerealia as main raw material, comprising intermittently feeding a plastic mass of said raw material under pressure through openings to form units. thereof while imparting to Said units such a great energy of movement as to cause them to leave the openings by utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project the same from the bulk of said mass when the movement of said mass 'is suddenly arrested, heating the units thus formed in a first stage to a temperature of about 50 to 100 C. to effect so- 1 lidication of the units, heating the solidiiied units in a second stage to a temperature of about 80 to 160 C. to effect drying of the solidified units and heating the dried units in a third stage to a temperature of above 140 C. to effect roasting of the dried units'.

7. A method of producing akes, and the like from cerealia, as main raw material, comprising intermittently feeding a plastic mass of said material under pressure through openings to form units thereof While imparting to the units such a great energy of movement as to cause them to leave the openings by utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project the same from the bulk of said mass when the movement of said mass is suddenly arrested, heating the units thus formed in a plurality of stages at increasing temperatures, and utilizing heat discharged from a stage of higher temperature to heat the units in a stage of lower temperature.

8. A method of producing flakes, and the like from cerealia as main raw material, comprising intermittently feeding a plastic mass of the raw material under pressure through openings to form units thereof while imparting to the units such a great energy of movement as to cause them effectively to leave the openings by utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project the same from the bulk of said mass when the movement of said mass is suddenly arrested, collecting the units on movable surfaces, heating the units on said -surfaces by leading a heated gas in contact with said units.

9. A machine for the production of flakes, and the like from a plastic mass, comprising in combination means to divide said mass into units of predetermined size, means to feed said mass under pressure to said dividing means, means l 8 aovnese 10. In a machine for the production of akes, and the like from a plastic mass, the combination with means to divide said material into units including means to feed said material under pressure to said dividing means and means periodically to break the feeding o the mass and cause said units to be projected by their attained momentum from said dividing means when the movement of the mass being fed to the dividing means is suddenly arrested, or heating means communicating with the outlet end of said dividing means and means in said heating means to feed the units therethrough.

ll. In a machine for the production of flakes, and the like from cerealia as main raw material, a container for forming a plastic mass of the corealia together with additional ingredients, two vessels, a change over device alternatingly to connect one of said vessels with said container so as to transfer plastic mass from the container into the vessel connected thereto, a dividing device to form units from the plastic mass, means to put the vessel which is filled with plastic mass under pressure means to connect the vessel under pressure with the dividing device so as to transfer the mass thereto, said dividing device ncluding means to impart to the units such a great energy of movement as to cause them to leave the dividing device by utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project the latter from the dividing means when the movement of the mass being fed to said dividing moans is suddenly arrested.

l2. A method of producingv like from cerealia as main ran comprising intermittently feedirif7 a mass oi the raw material under pres t 11g/li vopentemperature adapted for solidi-ying said units.

13. A method of producing ilalies, and the like from cerealia as main raw material, cornprising intermittently feeding a plastic mass oi the raw material under pressure through openings to form units thereof, imparting to said units such a great energy oi movement as to cause them to leave said openings hy utilizing the momentum attained by said units to project same from the bulk of said when the movement of said mass is suddenly arrested collecting the units thus formed on a movable surface, heating the collected units in a rst stage to a temperature adapted for solidifying said units, and further heating the solidied units in another stage to ay temperature adapted at least for drying the same.

AXEL UNO SRNMARK. 

